Abstract: A method of and apparatus for recapturing data from scanning devices and storing the captured data in digital form using a method that allows for easy, fast and reliable access for viewing, printing, transmitting, et cetera. More specifically, the method of the present invention allows institutions such as banks to "touch" data that has been captured using high speed reader/sorter devices. The invention interacts with such devices to store scanned digital images to storage devices using a hierarchical storage management module in order to migrate less accessed images to more cost effective storage media, such as optical disk and/or tape. Users access copies of the scanned items using an application that queries a database that holds pointers to the actual location of the physical digital image. The location of the scanned image is transparent to the end-user.